Fiction

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WILD PASSIONS
Rachael Adejumo stretched out her legs as she reclined against the soft covering of her lushly upholstered taupe couch. Everything had gone as planned. Within a period of ten months, her chain of businesses had brought her greater profit than she could ever have imagined. This last trip to Dubai was nothing compared to the others. Her only fear was the heavy ornate case containing over fifty gold earrings, necklaces and pendants each measuring up to 24Karat, lying securely in the basement. Her heart won’t be at rest until they were delivered the following day. She got up quickly to do a check on the alarm system fixed on the doors. There was certainly no way anyone would burgle her possessions. It is impossible, she stated emphatically as she returned to her couch. Stopping by the dining table, she took a pitcher of freshly squeezed oranges which stood at the near end of the table. Life is good, she smiled to herself. Tomorrow I’m going to make some cool dough. Turning up the TV, she relaxed again comfortably. Then she remembered the prayer vigil fixed for 10pm. I can’t go, she concluded. She was already getting fed up with the numerous church programs. The report of the last Zone A women’s meeting she had handled was yet to be submitted. I am a very busy woman, she mumbled, dropping the pitcher on the center table. When I return from my business trip in in November, I’ll be fully involved in church work. By then her husband would be back from the States and her daughter done with her youth service. She missed spending time with her family especially now that her two sons were in Cyprus running their businesses. I am a good mother, she grinned, her eyes gradually giving in to nature’s demand.
“Kenneth, move to the other side.” said a big boned, strong backed man in a husky voice, giving directions
“Dee, check the rooms”
Am I dreaming? Rachael’s eyes flew open. She saw three heavily armed men standing at different points in the living room. This certainly must be a dream. It’s time to wake up. She closed her eyes again and as she opened them, what she saw jerked her mind back to reality. A masked man with large broad chest had his face close to hers. She almost screamed.
“Where is the gold?”
“What?” asked Rachael, her eyes filled with fear. The slap that followed shot her out of her seat.
“Basement” said Rachael, recovering from the shock.
How had they known there was gold in her house? Her eyes brimmed with tears. She was about to throw a fortune to these irresponsible vagabonds. Could Kabiru, her personal chauffeur, be behind this?
“Move!” the big man ordered. She walked slowly to the basement, terrified that the gun placed on her head may suddenly go off. Before her eyes, Rachael watched the men load a fifty million naira worth of pure gold into their black van. If only they were not masked, it would have been easy to identify them.
“Let’s go back to the sitting room.”
“What do you want from me again?” she wondered, almost defiantly.
He gave her a stony blue glare
Breathing heavily, she clung to her self-restraint and moved back to the main house. A young boy was sitting on her couch by the time she got to the living room. How dare he? That was her special chair ordered from the United States. She looked back at him with so much hatred but he smiled in return. He was so young, probably the age of her second son.
“We need to access your account.”
Jesus! This people want to ruin her completely.
She was on her knees “Please don’t do this to me.”
The gun was back, this time at her chest. Large beads of sweat ran down her temple as she released her details to the young boy who quickly proceeded to work on the transfer.
Lord, please cause a strange wind to disrupt the network connection in Jesus name, Rachael prayed silently.
“Done!” Kenneth smiled, putting the phone into his pocket.
“Let’s Move.” Quickly the others left except the leader whose gun was still pointed at Rachael’s chest.
Now she was shaking terribly. “If you try to trace us, I swear, I’ll be back personally to tear your throat with this knife” He brought out a small sharp silver knife that glowed before her eyes. He put the gun away, took the three phones from the center table and walked away.
“I am doomed!” she screamed, her hands on her head. Rachael rolled on the ground, the tears running down in torrents.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kenneth smiled as he stood in front of his new house. At 24, he was already the owner of the magnificent structure that housed about ten rooms. This was just the beginning. He was going to own the world, he smiled again. And he was going to prove to his foolish mother the stuff he was made of. He tried to shake off the thought as he remembered how his mother had filled him with the story of his unfortunate arrival into the world. She had been a woman of easy virtue and when she had discovered she was pregnant, she hadn’t been bothered a bit. There is always a way to get rid of the thing, she had thought. She did exactly that or so she thought until much later when she discovered her growing tummy. She tried again the second time, this time almost losing her life but it seemed her son was determined to come into the world and so Kenneth was born. It had thrown her of business and she had hated Kenneth for it. Having no place to go, they had lived on the streets barely able to eat but they had survived. Kenneth had gone to a public school, thanks to the government. When Kenneth got to his second year in the senior secondary school, a man offered to marry his mother only on the condition that Kenneth be driven away. His mother had done exactly that. Good riddance to bad rubbish, she had said. Kenneth had joined a popular gang in the Ajegunle neighbourhood which at first rejected him but after proving his intelligence at the first operation had welcomed him with open hands. Kenneth rarely talked. His novels were his best companion and somehow this made his friends fear him. One morning, as he walked past the state library, the thought of going in gripped him. He had missed the days when he devoured books just to prove to his friends in better schools that he could be as good as they were. It had paid off. For five years, he had led his class and had won almost all the competitions both at the state and national levels. That was history, he concluded and moved on. Now as he strolled down the walkway, the beautifully trimmed lawns standing on both sides and the hilarious flowerbed neatly arranged ahead, he was glad he had made a good choice. This was his life now and he was determined to enjoy it to the fullest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was at the bookshop she first saw him. He was breath-taking drop-dead handsome. Her face flamed with hot color as he stared longingly at her and as much as she tried, she couldn’t take her gaze away. There was this quiet calm and sweet innocence about him that soothed her soul. When he finally took his eyes away, she returned her eyes back to the shelf, her mind filled with thoughts of him.
Kenneth quickly picked up a novel and browsed through it. What was it about this girl that captivated him? He felt his body respond to the feelings he’d gradually become used to, owing to the numerous girls at his beck and call. There was something different about her. Should he approach her now? He thought better to listen to his instincts. I’m going to have her, Kenneth muttered. The first step was to find out who she was, starting with the cashier.
Agatha watched as the tall muscular-built man handed out cash to the cashier. That was exactly the kind of man she had always dreamed of, right from her days on campus. Her position as the Sisters coordinator had attracted many suitors but none had suited her. Even after proceeding to Taraba for her NYSC program, she was yet to meet the man of her dreams. Though a professing Christian, she never believed God could give a partner. Everyone had the right to choose. She knew what she wanted so long as he was a Christian and met her physical standard. This is exactly what I want, she thought. If he is born-again, I’d say yes! Her heart skipped excitedly at the thought. Lord please let Him be my man, she prayed silently.
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men. Their paths are crooked and they are devious in their ways.
She stopped as she heard the words from inside her heart. Who is wisdom? She thought.
Christ, the wisdom of God. Seek me diligently with all thine heart
Agatha understood immediately. The Holy Spirit was trying to warn her. She looked up and saw the loveliest eyes that aroused emotions she had never known before. What was he still doing with the cashier and why was he looking at her that way? She waited for him to leave before heading for the counter. The look on the cashier’s face told her something was up.
* * * * * *

What started as a quiet passion in the heart of two young people led to the beginning of a relationship. Kenneth had done a thorough investigation. Immediately he had discovered she was of the religious sect, a deep longing for a challenge arose. It had further been heightened when Agatha clearly frowned against sex. Let’s see how far she goes. Becoming a fanatic did not pose much of a problem to him. He had been the school fellowship’s bible secretary at the beginning of his senior secondary school and the fellowship president the second year. He remembered preaching at various times both at fellowship meetings and on the assembly ground. The next step was to buy a bible and locate her church. Within few weeks, a friendship had developed and gradually their passion had taken over. Agatha was crazy about her new found love. When she noticed his regular attendance at church and participation in the youth group, she knew God had answered her prayers. When she suggested to Ken that the Pastor be informed of the new development, he had strongly objected to it. She agreed with him especially after her best friend showed her disapproval. Yetunde was always having dreams. Bad dreams for that matter. First, it was a man wearing a mask holding hands with Agatha with a dagger tucked at his back pocket with which he used to stab Agatha. When finally he removed the mask, he turned out to be Kenneth. Another one was Agatha screaming as a young man pulled her on the ground, her hands chained. Yetunde had begged her to stay away from Ken and to prevent any further distress, she had agreed. Instead, her relationship with Ken had gone deeper.
Now that her mum was in the United kingdom summer shopping and her father away on a training in the United States, she had all the time to herself. She felt so comfortable with Ken as she sat in his sitting room listening to him talk about his businesses and how he manages to stand his ground in the midst of the corrupt practices that come with the business world. This is my man, she stated with confidence
The heart of a man is deceitful above all things who can know it
“Satan get behind me!” she uttered loudly
Kenneth stopped talking and looked at her enigmatically. “Are you okay?” said Ken
“Sorry about that. An evil thought just dropped in my mind”
Kenny placed his hands over hers. Then he kissed her. Sensing her withdrawal, he apologized. The tension in the air grew until Agatha broke the silence. “I’ll be travelling out of the country for my masters next month.”
Ken’s eyes grew wide. He would have to get to the bottom of this quickly before she slipped away from his hands. It had come to his mind to act fast two days ago when she had shown him the picture of her mother. His mouth went dry as he beheld the woman in whose house he had robbed the year before. Though he had been masked during the operaton and Agatha had been absent, he wanted to get to the end of it.
“Ken!”
He brought his mind back.
“I should be on my way home now. Its getting late” Agatha stood up and walked out side by side with a man who was going to change the course of her life.
It was a cold Friday night when her phone rang. She was annoyed at the interruption of having to put down her novel. She sat quickly on the bed when she saw the caller ID.
“My Baby” said Agatha. The sound coming from the other side was almost inaudible.
“Are you there?” she continued
“ Can you come over” said Ken in a low tone.
“It’s already 11pm Ken. It’s late”
“I just want to talk to you. I’m depressed”
“Can’t we talk about it on the phone?”
“No” said Ken sharply.
Silence. Ken knew how to use this instrument to win.
“Ken-”
“I promise I’ll drop you at home once we are done talking. Please”
“It’s late”
“Fine. I’ll take care of myself.” The line went dead. Ken waited. If she didn’t call back, then he would have to formulate another strategy.
His mobile phone rang
That’s how it works, Ken smiled wryly.
“Yes?” said Ken harshly.
“I’ll come”
Ken sighed. “Thank you. I have always known you love me from the depth of your heart.” When she didn’t say anything he continued “I’ll come pick you up.”
Agatha didn’t go back home that night. How did I go this far? She cried as she came to a full realization of what she had done. Her tears couldn’t bring back her virginity.
“I’ll marry you” said Ken. But he knew it was a lie.
At that moment he felt disgusted and irritated but kept his cool. He would have to do away with her quietly. It was too early to let her go, Ken thought. Some more rounds wouldn’t be bad. Agatha came back the next day and many days afterwards.
* * * * * * * * *

Kenneth withdrew the two million naira from Richard’s account. He had become an expert at disarming PIN codes. A trade he had learnt by himself. It was payback time. Since Richard had refused to pay his own share from the last operation, he would get it his own way. The gang had begun to experience serious dissension for some days now and he knew within months, the group would scatter. This was part of the plan to prepare for the inevitable future. He knew Richard would soon come after him but he was smarter and knew how to escape.
* * * * * * * *

Agatha pushed away the guilt as she stood on the altar leading the congregation in a worship session. The day after her first sexual intimacy with Ken, she had done a solo on Liberty Christian Center’s altar and the events of the night with Ken had rushed in. She had been depressed afterwards. The Pastor’s message on the consequence of sin had torn at her heart. She had promised never to indulge in it again but had found herself in Ken’s arms the following day. She knew the only way out was to expose her past but shame wouldn’t let her.
Now a week after, she exuded confidence. I’m not the only one doing this, she thought to herself. She had seen Clara, the pre-teens Sunday school teacher come out of Kayode’s house one early morning while Kenneth was driving her back home. If God should count iniquity who will stand? By this time next week, I’ll be out of this country and away from Ken. She composed her mind and danced vigorously.
That evening, Agatha was getting ready for the special service organized by the Pastor when Kenneth rushed in breathing heavily.
“What’s happening?” said Agatha, surprised
Kenneth sighed heavily. “I thought you had left for church already. Thank God you are here.”
“I still don’t get you. We don’t normally go to church together.” said Agatha, uncomfortable with the new development. She didn’t want any one suspecting her relationship with Ken.
“This time we are going together” said Ken
“Don’t you know the way to the church?”
“Stop this talk and let’s get out of here.”
Kenneth kept watching his back as he walked behind Agatha. He had narrowly escaped. The church was the best place to hide from Richard’s wrath. To Agatha’s relief, only two ushers were at the entrance of the church. She had deliberately decided to be late that evening and it had paid off for her. Pretending to be busy with her phone, she allowed Ken to enter before going in.
Like a hammer in the hands of a carpenter, the words from the Pastor went down into Ken’s heart. Tears began to well up in his eyes. He looked back at Agatha who was sitting two rows away from him.
The Pastor was making an altar call. “Come to Jesus now. Tomorrow may be too late. Sin will take you to hell. Come now, Jesus is offering you eternal life.”
Kenneth walked over to where Agatha was standing and whispered in her ears. “Let’s go to the altar” “Are you out of your mind?” said Agatha shocked. “What will the members of the church say? Ken, I am the assistant choir director in this church in case you’ve forgotten. I can’t go. I’ll repent later.”
Ken walked back to his seat but the call kept ringing in his ears. He turned again to look at Agatha who shook her head. Quietly, he walked to the altar and knelt with the others as they surrendered their lives to Christ.
The silence between Ken and Agatha grew as they walked back home. “I have a confession to make to you” said Ken, breaking the silence. “I don’t want to hear your useless confession.” said Agatha furious. “You dragged me into this. I regret ever knowing you”
“I’m sorry. I-“
He had hardly finished his statement when the bullet hit him on his leg. There was pandemonium in the street as people took to their heels. Ken looked up and saw Richard pointing the gun at Agatha’s head. Agatha was trembling.
“You stole it because of her, right?” said Richard, shouting loudly.
Gboah! Agatha went down, eyes opened and her blood gushing out through her nostrils. Another bullet went through Ken’s arm as he tried to block it away from his chest. His eyes moved from Richard to Agatha. Richard shot again. Ken toppled to the floor as darkness covered him.
* * * * * * * *
The funeral service was held at the church auditorium of Liberty Christian Center. Agatha’s dad had flown into the country upon hearing the tragic news. Her mum was at the beach relaxing after a hard day negotiating with a jeweler when her phone rang. They both sat together with their two sons in the front pew. Rachael could hardly compose herself. Agatha’s father had his eyes fixed on the Pastor who was giving a sermon. He could hardly hear what the man of God was saying as his mind whirled through fond memories of his only daughter.
Kenneth sat on a wheelchair at the back of the hall wishing he was the one dead and Agatha alive. At least she would have had an opportunity to repent at his funeral. Facing the wrath of the law was little compared with facing God’s judgment. He bent his head again and wept.

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